Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata Will Star in a Studio Ghibli Documentary

As reported by Anime News Network, documentary filmmaker Mami Sunada (Ending Note: Death of a Japanese Salaryman) is nearing completion on the Studio Ghibli documentary Kingdom of Dreams and Madness. The film follows studio producer Toshio Suzuki, and directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies) as they work on two upcoming Studio Ghibli films, Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises) and Kaguya-hime no Monogatori (The Tale of Princess Kaguya).

When discussing her film’s title, Sunada explains: “I think that having a dream entails having a bit of madness, no matter what the profession. There are times when you will go to extremes, and times when you are feared by others for that.”

The Wind Rises, which is the first Miyazaki directed film in five years, debuts this weekend in Japan. Centering on Zero fighter designer Jiro Horikoshi, it is inspired by a manga Miyazaki created for Gekkan Model Graphics magazine and based on the novel of the same name by Tatsuo Hori. The Tale of Princess Kaguya, directed by Takahata is an adaptation of the Japanese folk story, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. Originally slated to premiere simultaneously with The Wind Rises, Kaguya’s release date was postponed due to production snags, and as a result, Sunada continues to film in the studio to cover the extended production. Sunada’s documentary will premiere this fall in Japan.

Takahata’s last film, My Neighbors the Yamadas, was released in 1999. That makes it 14 years!

Eam

Ponyo I think.

Chris Sobieniak

You’re probably thinking of Hayao Miyazaki who directed that one (2008). Isao Takahata’s last feature was My Neighbors The Yamadas back in ’99.

Ant G

I’m so grateful for studio Ghibli and Satoshi Kon who passed away too soon. Without them I would have probably always confused animation to be synonymous with cartoons. Seeing grave of the Fireflies was an event that both depressed me for the entire rest of that day but also opened my mind forever on how I perceived the medium of animation. Anticipating both films greatly.

Arigator

I’m with you on that. I think it would also be nice if their deceased colleague Yoshifumi Kondo is going to be mentioned in the documentary. His film “Whisper of the Heart” is one of my favorite Ghibli movies.

Animador

The princess mononoke (documentary) is one of the best documentaries about animation production imo everyone should check it out:

This is terrific! I would love to see this picked up and distributed (a small release is all I as!) stateside.
I would also love if they released an updated version of Starting Point, Hayao Miyazaki’s autobiography. It only covers 1979-96. So much has happened since then; it’d be very enjoyable and insightful to read his thoughts on the studio’s rise and global recognition, and how, despite that, they haven’t strayed much from their original intentions.

John

VIZ announced earlier this week that they plan on publishing Turning Point by Hayao Miyazaki, which covers 1997-2008. The book will be released in April 2014.

The best we can hope for is for GKIDS to do the same as they had for “From Up On Poppy Hill” if they can obtain the rights to release both films in the near future.

Jon

A Studio Ghibli documentary? TAKE MY MONEY NOW!!!!!! I’m a super fan of Ghibli’s work, especially under Miyazaki’s direction. I look forward to any and all upcoming features, and get psyched when I see the blue Totoro screen come up.